REFRESHMENT CAR EMPLOYEES' HOURS.

Press, Volume LXII, Issue 12177, 25 April 1905, Page 9

REFRESHMENT CAR EMPLOYEES' HOURS.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE PRESS. Sir,—While 1 was travelling on the express to Christchurch recently I got into conversation with one of tho refreshment car staff, and being in the catering business myself, and employing a largo staff, I enqiired into the working of the new department of the Government. When I heard that the stewards and cook, on tho cars put m the hours they do, it struck mc the Government was not acting up to the eight hours' principle. To prepare and get tho car ready md the breaktast, the cooks and stewarcs must start work at 6 30, >so as to hive breakfast ready aboard the train at eight o'clock when she leaves Christdiurch, and then they have to work away until 5.15 at night, when they arrive in Dunedin. Ontne second express thhgs are worse. l_«y start work at eigit o'clock, and do not finish till arrival n Dunedin (9.15 p.m.), and when on the return trip from Dunedin to Christch-rch it is 1Q.30 before their day's work is done. Now, these young fellows, »s most of *-»»"•» never get an caning to themselves, especially on thesecond express. Surely, this kind of thirg is not sanctioned Iby the Government who have the credit for upholding tie labour laws of the colony, and aliening these stewards to work twelve ard thirteen hours on a stretch every d-y in the week?-Yours, otc - SYMPATHISER.